City of Salt: Session 4: "Are we so quick to deserve death?"
General Summary
The 4 Ways find themselves in a dark alley near the 13th House District . They are tired, bloodied, and upset. They were ambushed, abused, and bludgeoned. Now, the Guards of the 1st House arrive, growling, sniffing, and challenging the party's claims of innocence. Strekveil, who leads these Lupin Guards, however--this wolf wishes for something "more" than promises of reputation to ensure the 4th House does not retaliate against both The 4 Ways AND the First House. The Brood of Ataxia is not known to be forgiving to the loss of their already dwindling numbers. Yes, the Fourth House is one of the largest in The City of Salt , but the Ratuess within have been dwindling, the group find outs from the one Ratuess Strekveil cared not for; gold and lies matter more than life in the City of Salt. Thrundle has taken over the house, and he squeezes the Ratuess of Ataxia to near breaking point.
Mercifully, the group spares this young Ratuess' life. Nersk, 4th House, Ratuess Thug runs away, taking one of his fallen brethren's bodies before other see.
After a thirty minute walk to the Tower Districts of the The 13 Binder Lords , squarely in the 10th House District, Eros, Stryke, and Birdman go to talk with Altopar again. His most recent request for Birdman to assassinate his own wife does not sit well with Stryke and Eros, and they need to discuss with Altopar how at all this movement against his own wife will be beneficial. The 4 Ways convinces the Keeper of Secrets of the 10th House, Altopar , to go to a room alone to discuss, and they go round in circles with the Keeper as the death of his wife will now disrupt the 12th House as she is one of their lobbyists inadvertently, really wanting free water rights for the people of the city. Thus, Aengiliiz Altopar 's death could bring profit and power to the political ring of the 10th House. Eros, Birdman, and Styke agree to investigate the Keeper's wife, but not more than that.
Nevertheless, the 4 Ways leave, and quickly, as Eros is requested to perform for the 13th House and Rexaney Pelago at his most famous tavern, the 13th Dance. Eros's performance is wildly successful, and the halfling Binder Lord rewards her with 25 gold for the night's performance.
Later that night Eros and Birdman discuss morality, and she asks the kenku to temper is wrath, and the young bard Eros claims she will not lower herself to the city.
On the next day, the Third of Light First Kord's of the year 697, the group awakes to the noises of the city Blood Festival, soon to begin in the next few days. They also talk with Leandra about enjoying her new dress; she is one of the orphans Stryke watches over. Furthermore, they find their apartment in need of general groceries, so while Birdman and Eros go to view the speech Lady Altopar is set to give today in the tailstones, Stryke and Cotton lead Stryke's Children through the city for those general supplies. Thus, they go to Bigby's Grand Adventures: A Wavler's Emporium Affiliate. The young melin then spends most of the rest of the day renovating for the arrival of Terry .
Additionally, during this time, Birdman returns to his office in the stage courts; he has a new client, a Roxana he seemingly meet two nights before at the Herald's Tavern . After that, he rejoins with the Eloquence Bard, Eros.
On her way to the speech of Lady Altopar, Eros uses the magic of disguise self know to many illusionists like herself to take the form of a pumthera commoner, and thus blending in with the typical sort of the Tailstones , where the Lady Aengiliiz Altopar 's speech will be held. As she waits, she sees a prominent presence of the 12th House Marrow Miners .
Birdman eventually joins Eros, and she reveals herself to him after he poignantly saw through her disguise and body language. Yet, she again takes the form a pumthera, getting with in twenty feet of Lady Altopar on the main bridge near the Charnel Grates. She speaks of free water, of false promises, and she talks directly against the those given by the 12th House and their Marrow Miners. This forces her "guards" from the same marrow miners to grapple her, and take her away for their own use. Yet, only Eros sees, a group of elves stop the Lady Altopar's arrest, and whisk her away to the southern walls 100 feet away. The chaos soon forgets the Lady, but the 12th House definitely won't. Fortunately, Eros was able to use her sending magic in hopes of seeing if this was indeed Telearia , and yes the wood elf confirms, they saved her friend before the Lady loses her own life for her fervent push towards water rights for her people of the Tailstones. This zealot of The Enders , Telearia, warns them to come quietly, two leagues south of the city, near the Valley of Twin Trees.
As the Birdman and Eros leave to join Telearia and Aengiliiz, the melin barbarian, Stryke, joins with them to help to survive the wilds and swamps just outside the city. During that time, they are able to gather another 21lbs of food to help with their family's monthly needs, now with Stryke's Children to feed. Moreover, they easily meet up with the elf Telearia and the human Aengiliiz. The elf greets them with a formal ritual of Barur, where hands rise and intertwine in a dance to mimic the celestial bodies above, and Birdman is able to remember part of his elven past because of this greeting. Nevertheless, the Lady Altopar explains after her trauma of realizing her husband ordered her assassinated, that she and her presumed lover Hardy are more like brother and sister, and he was taken by the first house for dishonoring their hospitality in the previous Duel of Bards after Caerhals Fiendom, the Famed of the Salted City was defeated by Eros . Defiantly, she urges The 4 Ways to let her return to the city, but they and her elf friend Telearia convince the noble of the city of salt to fake her death, give them her ear as evidence, and find other means to help the wretched and forgotten of the City of Salt.
After a thirty minute walk to the Tower Districts of the The 13 Binder Lords , squarely in the 10th House District, Eros, Stryke, and Birdman go to talk with Altopar again. His most recent request for Birdman to assassinate his own wife does not sit well with Stryke and Eros, and they need to discuss with Altopar how at all this movement against his own wife will be beneficial. The 4 Ways convinces the Keeper of Secrets of the 10th House, Altopar , to go to a room alone to discuss, and they go round in circles with the Keeper as the death of his wife will now disrupt the 12th House as she is one of their lobbyists inadvertently, really wanting free water rights for the people of the city. Thus, Aengiliiz Altopar 's death could bring profit and power to the political ring of the 10th House. Eros, Birdman, and Styke agree to investigate the Keeper's wife, but not more than that.
Nevertheless, the 4 Ways leave, and quickly, as Eros is requested to perform for the 13th House and Rexaney Pelago at his most famous tavern, the 13th Dance. Eros's performance is wildly successful, and the halfling Binder Lord rewards her with 25 gold for the night's performance.
Later that night Eros and Birdman discuss morality, and she asks the kenku to temper is wrath, and the young bard Eros claims she will not lower herself to the city.
On the next day, the Third of Light First Kord's of the year 697, the group awakes to the noises of the city Blood Festival, soon to begin in the next few days. They also talk with Leandra about enjoying her new dress; she is one of the orphans Stryke watches over. Furthermore, they find their apartment in need of general groceries, so while Birdman and Eros go to view the speech Lady Altopar is set to give today in the tailstones, Stryke and Cotton lead Stryke's Children through the city for those general supplies. Thus, they go to Bigby's Grand Adventures: A Wavler's Emporium Affiliate. The young melin then spends most of the rest of the day renovating for the arrival of Terry .
Additionally, during this time, Birdman returns to his office in the stage courts; he has a new client, a Roxana he seemingly meet two nights before at the Herald's Tavern . After that, he rejoins with the Eloquence Bard, Eros.
On her way to the speech of Lady Altopar, Eros uses the magic of disguise self know to many illusionists like herself to take the form of a pumthera commoner, and thus blending in with the typical sort of the Tailstones , where the Lady Aengiliiz Altopar 's speech will be held. As she waits, she sees a prominent presence of the 12th House Marrow Miners .
Birdman eventually joins Eros, and she reveals herself to him after he poignantly saw through her disguise and body language. Yet, she again takes the form a pumthera, getting with in twenty feet of Lady Altopar on the main bridge near the Charnel Grates. She speaks of free water, of false promises, and she talks directly against the those given by the 12th House and their Marrow Miners. This forces her "guards" from the same marrow miners to grapple her, and take her away for their own use. Yet, only Eros sees, a group of elves stop the Lady Altopar's arrest, and whisk her away to the southern walls 100 feet away. The chaos soon forgets the Lady, but the 12th House definitely won't. Fortunately, Eros was able to use her sending magic in hopes of seeing if this was indeed Telearia , and yes the wood elf confirms, they saved her friend before the Lady loses her own life for her fervent push towards water rights for her people of the Tailstones. This zealot of The Enders , Telearia, warns them to come quietly, two leagues south of the city, near the Valley of Twin Trees.
As the Birdman and Eros leave to join Telearia and Aengiliiz, the melin barbarian, Stryke, joins with them to help to survive the wilds and swamps just outside the city. During that time, they are able to gather another 21lbs of food to help with their family's monthly needs, now with Stryke's Children to feed. Moreover, they easily meet up with the elf Telearia and the human Aengiliiz. The elf greets them with a formal ritual of Barur, where hands rise and intertwine in a dance to mimic the celestial bodies above, and Birdman is able to remember part of his elven past because of this greeting. Nevertheless, the Lady Altopar explains after her trauma of realizing her husband ordered her assassinated, that she and her presumed lover Hardy are more like brother and sister, and he was taken by the first house for dishonoring their hospitality in the previous Duel of Bards after Caerhals Fiendom, the Famed of the Salted City was defeated by Eros . Defiantly, she urges The 4 Ways to let her return to the city, but they and her elf friend Telearia convince the noble of the city of salt to fake her death, give them her ear as evidence, and find other means to help the wretched and forgotten of the City of Salt.
Rewards Granted
25 gp: Rexaney Pelago, 13th Binder, Stout Halfling Glamour Bard give to Eros for playing and entertaining at his tavern.
Loyalty, Telearia and Aengiliiz Altopar .
5 bushels of wheat, rice bags, and potatoes. A barrel of water. Woodcarvers and Carpenter's Tools. 21g spent
Stryke: success with woodcarvers. 1/5 weeks completed towards proficiency.
Loyalty, Telearia and Aengiliiz Altopar .
5 bushels of wheat, rice bags, and potatoes. A barrel of water. Woodcarvers and Carpenter's Tools. 21g spent
Stryke: success with woodcarvers. 1/5 weeks completed towards proficiency.
Missions/Quests Completed
Appeased 1st House, will leave the 4th House be because of bribery and persuasion from Eros.
Character(s) interacted with
Strekveil: Lupin captain of the 1st house.
Aengiliiz Altopar : Wife to Altopar
Nersk, 4th House, Ratuess Thug: spared by Eros.
Aengiliiz Altopar : Wife to Altopar
Nersk, 4th House, Ratuess Thug: spared by Eros.
Report Date
13 Aug 2022
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Comments